Rock puller



April 6, 1966 R. E. WATSON ETAL 3,247,605

ROCK FULLER Filed July 22, 1963 //Vl/EN 7025 0 525. M4750 14. 4466/471/4750/1 United States Patent 3,247,605 ROCK PULLER Roger E. Watson, Box 88, Champlin, Minn., and Wallace A. Watson, Hancock, Minn. Filed July 22, 1963, Ser. No. 296,599 I Claims. (Cl. 37-2) seeking and finding stones completely covered by the ground and not visible, and are useful only with stones only partially embedded in the ground. Others require.

stopping and backing up of the apparatus to disengage the apparatus from the rock after the rock has been pulled to the surface.- Still others have no power operated means for augmenting the pulling action of the apparatus to lift the rock to the surface once it has been engaged in its subsurface location.

One important object of this invention is to provide a device which is capable of working a considerable distance beneath the surface of the ground and capable of pulling to the surface large stones or rocks completely embedded in the ground a considerable distance beneath the surface thereof and is also capable of pulling to the surface large stones and rocks which are only partially embedded in the ground to facilitate the ultimate pick up and disposal thereof.

Another object is to provide ground Working apparatus having novel means for releasing its ground penetrating and working mechanism from engagement with an obstruction without requiring stopping and backing up of the apparatus.

Another object is to provide a device capable of pulling large rocks embedded in the ground to the surface thereof and which is capable of disengaging itself from the surfaced rock while continuing its normal forward movement, without having to first stop and back away from the surfaced rock.

Still another object is to provide a rock or stone pulling device of the aforementioned type in which the stone engaging means is mounted for stone disengaging movement relative to its supporting structure and provided with releasable latch mechanism which normally holds'the stone engaging means in lowered operative position and which can be operated to release the stone engaging means for said disengaging movement when the stone has been pulled to the surface whereby the device need not be backed rearwardly to disengage the device from the surfaced rock or stone, but can continue to be pulled forwardly with the stone engaging means freely passing over the stone until clear thereof after which it again drops to earth penetrating operating position for re-engagement by said latch mechanism.

Still another object is to provide a stone pulling device having power operated jack or lift means to facilitate the raising of the stone or rock to the ground surface once it is engaged by the device.

Still another object is to provide a stone pulling device of the type described which is capable of performing the dual function of pulling embedded stones or rocks to the ground surface and is there-after capable o transporting same to any desired location.

These and other objects and advantages of this invention will more fully appear from the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings 3,247,605 Patented Apr. 26, 1966 wherein like reference characters refer to the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and in which: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one preferred embodiment of this invention;

'FIG. 2 is a top plan view thereof; FIG. 3 is a partial vertical longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 33' of FIG. 2;

'FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view illustrating successive positions of the rock pulling tines during use; and

FIG. 5 is a somewhat diagrammatic view of a modilied form of this invention capable of pulling embedded stones to the surface and then carrying them to any dei the ground.

sired location.

Referring to the drawings, the stone pulling device illustrated includes a rigid main frame P which is triangular in shape when viewed from above as in FIG. 2, and includes the forwardly converging generally longitudinally extending side members 10 which are of channel cross-section, with the open sides thereof facing inwardly, the rear end portions of which are interconnected by means of the transversely disposed end frame member 11 which is also of channel cr0sssection with the open side facing inwardly, the leading ends of the side frame members 10-being provided with a forwardly extending draft tongue 12 for connection of the device to a tractor or other suitable means for pulling the device over A bearing sleeve. or tube on the underside of the frame member 10 in which sleeve the offset central portion 140, of a crank axle 14 is journaled for rotation relative to the frame F, the outer free ends 1412 of said crank axle having ground engaging wheels W rotatably mounted thereon. Cross bracing 15 is provided on the crank axle for additional strengthening thereof.

The frame F has an implement or tool T suspended therefrom and capable of movement relative thereto for penetrating the ground and engaging and pulling any stones or rocks' encountered thereby. In the illustrated embodiment, the tool T includes a pair of laterally spaced apart downwardly and forwardly curved earthpenetrating rock engaging tines or hooks 16, the upper ends of which are rigidly connected to and supported byan elongate sleeve 17 which is rotatably mounted on a horizontally and transversely disposed pivot shaft or rod 18 extending between and supported by the side frame members 10 for forward and rearward and upward and downward vertical swinging movement of said tines relative to the frame F. Each of the tines is braced and reinforced rearwardly by means of an upper member 19 connected to and extending rearwardly from the tine and an inclined member 20 which extends between and inteerconnects the tine and member 1 9. The tine members are laterally braced by means of a'pair of bowed members 21 disposed therebetween, the upper ends of which are welded or otherwise connected to the sleeve 17, the lower ends of which are connected to the insides of the tines 16. The tool T is additionally transversely braced by means of a member 22 extending between the bowed members 21, brace 23 extending between the members 20, and the brace 24 extending between the members 19.

Latch mechanism is provided for releasably holding the tool T in lowered operating position, which latch mechanism is releasable after the stone or rock has been pullgd to the surface to enable the tool T to swing reanwardly and upwardly and pass over and clear the stoneby forward movement of the device. This latch mechanism includes an elongate transversely disposed stop or latch bar 25 which extends between and is supported by the side members 10 and is movable relative thereto and which is adapted for limited reciprocating movement in the di- 13 is transversely mounted rection of travel of the device'between the operative tool holding solid line positions of FIGS. 2 and 3 and the inoperative tool releasing dotted line positions of FIGS. 2 and 3.

The end portions of the latch bar 25 slidably rest on and are supported by the lower flanges a of the side members 10. To guide the movements of the bar 25; and limit the forwardmovement thereof, vertical guide plates 26 are mounted in each of the channels of the side members 10 and are spaced inwardly from the webs thereof. The guide plates are provided with elongate generally longitudinally extending slots 26a which slidably receive the end portions of the bar 25 and prevent upward movement thereof. The guide plates 26 also have leg portions 26b which define the forward ends of the slots 26a and serve as stop means for limiting the forward movement of the latch bar 25, the bar being held and biased against the legs 26b in operative tool holding position by any suit able biasing or spring means.

The latch bar 25 is adapted to be moved from tool holding to tool releasing position by means of a pull rod 27, the forward end of which is connected to the bar 25 whereby the bar 25 is moved rearwardly by rearward movement of the pull rod 27. The bar 25 is continuously biased toward tool holding position by means of a pair of coiled springs 28 which extend between and are anchored to the side members 10 and the latch bar 25 as illustrated. The pull rod 27 is operatively connected to the latch bar 25 means of a bracket 29 mounted on the underside of the bar 25, said, pull rod being supported for reciprocating movement relative to the end frame member 11 by means of a tubular bearing sleeve 30 mounted on the underside of member 11 and which telescopically receives said. rod for free reciprocating movement relative thereto. The pull rod 27 is operated by means of a bell crank type handle 31 which is pivotally mounted on the back of the frame member 11 by means of a handle supporting bracket 32. One arm of the handle is pivotally connected to the pull rod and the other arm of the handle is connected to a pull cord or rope 33, which pull rope extends forwardly to the tractor pulling this device for manual operation by the tractor operator.

Normally, the latch bar 25 is in the full line operative positions of FIGS. 2 and 3 in which it is disposed in the path of upward rearward swinging movement of and overlies the tool T so as to be in a position to engage the tine bracing members 19 and thereby limit the upward rearward movement of the tool and hold same in lowered operative ground penetrating rock engaging position. After a rock has been raised to the surface of the ground, the operator trips the latch mechanism by pulling on the pull cord 33, which causes the handle 31-to pull the latch bar 25 rearwardly to the inoperative dotted line positions of FIGS. 2 and 3 and out of engagement with the tool and its members 19 and out of the path of rearward upward swinging movement thereof to permit the tool to swing rearwardly and upwardly and pass over the rock in conjunction with forward movement of the device.

Power operated link or lift means are also provided for selectively raising and lowering the frame F to thereby raise and lower the tool to facilitate the lowering of the tines into the ground and to materially aid in lifting the stone or rock to the surface after engagement thereof by the tool T. In the illustrated embodiment, this link or lift means comprises a pair of conventional fluid operated generally vertically disposed piston-cylinder type rams or jacks I which are located on each side of the frame F and which adjust-ably link the' main frame F and crank axle 14 together to effect movement therebetween and thereby raise and lower the frame and tool T carried thereon. The jacks may be hydraulically or pneumatically operated.

Each of the jacks J includes a cylinder 34 and a piston rod 35 connected to a piston (not shown) mounted within the cylinder in the conventional-manner for reciprocating movement therewithin. The lower ends of the piston rods are pivotally connected to the longitudinally extending portion of the crank axle by means of bifurcated brackets 36.

The upper ends of the cylinders are pivotally supported by bifurcated supporting brackets 37, which brackets 37 are each mounted on the frame F by means of a pair of upwardly converging members 68, the lower ends of which are connected to their respective side frame members it}, and the upper ends of which are connected to the brackets 37. A generally horizontal transversely disposed brace 39 extends between and is connected rigidly to the bracket 37 to provide additional strength and rigidity.

Fluid for effecting movement of the pistons within the cylinders 34 is directed to and from the cylinders through suitable conduits 45 and 41, preferably formed of flexible tubing, which are, coupled in any approved manner to their respective cylinders and which communicate with the respective ends of the cylinders. Any conventional pump and valve means (not shown) may be provided for supplying and controlling the flow of fluid to and from the cylinders.

The pivotal connection between theframe F and crank axle 14 provided by the journaling of the central portion 14a of the crank axle in the bearing sleeve 13 carried by the frame enables the frame and crank axle to be swung towards and away from each other about a horizontal transverse axis and enables the frame and the tool T carried thereby to be raised and lowered by proper operation of the jacks J and the respective extension or retraction thereof.

To maintain the tines 16 at the proper angle for initial engagement with and penetration of the ground, and also to maintain them in a raised transport position if desired,

an upstanding arm or lever 42 is provided which is operatively connected to the time supporting sleeve 17. A biasing spring 43 is also provided, one end of which is anchored to the frame F in any suitable manner, in the illustrated embodiment it being attached to the bearing sleeve 13. The other end of the spring 43 is attached to the upper end of the lever 42. The spring 43 biases the lever 42 forwardly and thereby biases the tool T and its tines 16 upwardly and rearwardly towards the latch bar 25, and in one preferred embodiment holds the tool thereagainst. In any event, the spring 43 holds the tines 16 in a position in which the lower ends thereof are directed downwardly at the most suitable angle for initial penetration of the ground thereby when the frame is lowered at the start of the ground working and rock seeking operation, such as in the tine positions shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. The spring 43 may also hold the tines above and clear of the ground for transport purposes, if desired. Also, in the illustrated embodiment, the spring 43 preferably permits the tool T to return of its own accord to a lowered position beneath the latch bar 25 from a raised rock clearing position for reengagement by the latch bar after the surfaced rock has been passed over by the tines.

In use and operation, the device is attached to means for pulling same, such as a tractor by means of the draft tongue 12 and the jacks are extended to raise the frame F and the tool T to a starting position such as shown in FIG. 1 and position a of FIG. 4. The latch bar 25 is in tool engaging and retaining position shown by its solid line position of FIGS. 2 and 3. The device is then pulled forwardly and simultaneously therewith the jacks are retracted, causing lowering of the frame F and the tool T whereby the lower ends of the tines are lowered into engagement with the ground. If the tool T is not already engaged with the latch bar 25 by action of the spring 43 at the outset, the engagement of the tines with the ground will swing the tines rearwardly and upwardly and bring the members 19 into engagement with the bar 25 which. holds the tool T and its tines in the desired lowered operative position. Continued forward movement and lowering of the frame causes the tines to gradually penetrate further into the ground and work a substantial distance below the surface thereof until a stone S is encountered by the tines as shown in position b of FIG. 4. When the stone S is encountered by the tines, the jacks are again extended causting the frame and tool to be raised, which raising movement may be combined if desired with additional forward movement of the tractor and thestone pulling. device to raise the stone and the tines to ground surface as shown in position of FIG. 4. The operator then releases the latch bar 25 from engagement with the tool by pulling on the pull cord 33 and simultaneously moves the tractor and the device forwardly. This forward movement combined with release of the latch bar from engagement with the tool enables the tool to swing rearwardly and upwardly against the resistance of the stone to a raised position'such as shown in position d of FIG. 4 to clear the stone and continued forward movement enables the tool to completely clear the stone and swing downwardly of its own accord to its normal operative position as in position e of FIG. 4. When the tool T has returned to its normal operative position e, the operator then releases the pull cord and permits the latch bar to return to its normal tool engaging and retaining position under the influence of the springs 28 and the device is i then ready to resume operation to find and pull additional stones from the ground.

If desired, the tool T may be carried in a raised transport position by releasing the latch bar from engagement with the tool and swinging the tool upwardly above the latch bar after which the latch bar is returned to its normal operative position and the tool is lowered so that the tines 16 rest thereupon, as illustrated by the broken line position of tool T in FIG. 5. V

In the modified form of the invention illustrated in FIG. 5, a second tool T' is provided which is similar in construction to tool T and differs therefrom only in that it is reversely mounted with respect to tool T directly oprposite thereto to enable a stone to be grasped therebetween for carrying said stone to any desired location once it has been raised to the surface by the-tool T. The tool T is also pivotally mounted on the frame for swinging movment toward and away from the -tool T and is provided with a latch bar 25' corresponding to bar 25 which is adapted to overlyingly engage and hold the tool T in the lowered operative solid line position of FIG. 5. Suitable mechanism (not shown) are also provided for moving the bar 25' between 'tool engaging and tool releasing position, which mechanism may correspond to that previously described for operating the bar 25 or may comprise any other means for effecting the desired movement of the bar 25'. While the ground is being Worked by the tool T, the tool T is carried in a raised inoperative position corresponding to the broken line position of FIG. 5 in which position the tines 16 thereof rest upon the latch bar 25. When the stone has been raised to the surface by the tool T, bar 25' is pulled out of engagement with the raised tool T permitting same to swing down wardly of its own accord toward the tool T and assumes the "solid line position of FIG. 5, the bar 25' being returned to its normal operative position to prevent upward and forward swinging movement of the tool T so that the stone is effectively grasped between the tools T and T for carrying thereof.

It will, of course, be understood-that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangement and proportions of the various parts without departing from the scope of our invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Ground working apparatus for locating large rocks embedded in the ground and bringing them to the surface, said apparatus comprising a frame having a forwardly extending draft tongue for connecting said frame to a tractor, a wheeled crank axle pivotally mounted on said frame for rotation about a horizontal axis transverse to the direction of travel with the wheels thereof disposed rearwardly of the pivot axis of said axle, a hydraulically powered substantially vertically oriented piston-cylinder type jack for each crank arm of said crank axle, said jacks being connected to said frame and the rear end portion of their respective crank arms for effecting relative pivotal movement between said frame and crank axle and raising and lowering of said frame,a ground working implement including va pair of laterally spaced apart. downwardly and forwardly directed ground penetrating tines adapted to engage large rocks embedded in the ground and pull them to the surface, said implement being pivotally mounted on said frame for free rearwardly and upwardly swinging movement of said tines relative to said frame from a lowered operative position to a raised inoperative position, the pivot axis of said implement being disposed rearwardly of the pivot axis of said crank axle, and a latch member mounted on said frame and movable relative thereto longitudinally thereof between implement engaging and disengaging positions, said latch member when in said implement engaging position overlying said implement and holding same in said lowered operative position,

against rearward upward swinging movement while permitting downward forwardswinging movement of said implement, said latch member engaging said implement rearwardly of the pivot axis thereof, spring means biasing said latch member towards implement engaging position, and spring means biasing said implement towards rearward upward swinging movement. a

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lower ends of said tines are disposed forwardly of the axis of the wheels carried by said crank axle when said implement is in lowered operative position. I n 3. Ground working apparatus for locating large rocks embedded in the ground and bringing'them to'the surface, said apparatus comprising a frame, a wheeled crank axle pivotally mounted on said frame for rotation about a horizontal axis transverse ,to the direction of travel with the wheels thereof disposed rearwardly of the pivot axis of said axle, a hydraulically powered substantially vertically oriented piston-cylinder type jack for each crank arm of said crank axle, said jacks being connected to said frame and their respective crank arms for effecting relative pivotal movement between said frame and crank axle and raising and lowering of said frame, a ground working implement including a pair of laterally spaced apart downwardly and forwardly directed ground penetrating tines adapted to engage large rocks embedded in the ground and pull them to the surface, said implement being pivotally mounted on said frame for free rearwardly and upwardly swinging movement of said tines relative to said frame from a lowered operative position to a raised inoperative position, the lower ends of said tines being disposed forwardly of the axis of the wheels carried by said crank axle when said implement is in the lower operative position, the pivot axis of said implement being disposed rearwardly of the pivot axis of said crank axle, and latch means carried by said frame'adapted to releasably engage said implement rearwardly of the pivot axis thereof and hold same against said rearward upward swinging movement in said lowered operative position, and spring means biasing said latch means towards implement engaging position.

4. Ground working apparatus for locating large rocks embedded in the ground and bringing them to the surface, said apparatus comprising a frame, a wheeled crank axle pivotally mounted on said frame for rotation about a horizontal axis transverse to the direction of travel with the wheels thereof disposed rearwardly'of the pivot axis of said axle, fluid powered piston-cylinder type jack means connected to said frame and a crank arm of said crank axle for eflecting relative pivotal movement between said frame and crank axle and raising and lowering of said frame, a ground working implement including a pair of laterally spaced apart downwardly and forwardly directed ground penetrating tines adapted to engage large rocks embedded in the ground and pull them to the surface, said implement being pivotally mounted on said frame for free rearwardly and upwardly swinging movement of said tines relative to said frame from a lowered operative position to a raised inoperative position, the lower ends of said tines being disposed forwardly on the axis of the wheels carried by said crank axle when said implement is in the lower operative position, the pivot axis of said implement being disposed rearwardly of the pivot axis of said crank axle, and latch means carried by said frame adapted to releasably engage said implement rearwardly of the pivot axis thereof and hold same against said rearward upward swinging movement in' said lowered. operative posit-ion, and spring means biasing said implement towards upward- 1y rearwardly swinging movement.

5. Ground working apparatus for locating large rocks embedded in theground and bringing them to the surface, said apparatus comprising a frame, a. wheeled crank axle pivotally mounted on saidframefor rotation about a horizontal axis transverse to the direction of travel with the wheels thereof disposed rearwardly of the pivot axis of said axle, powered means interconnecting said frame and crank axle for efiecting relative pivotal movement between said frame and crank axle and raising and lowering of said frame, a ground working implement including a pair of laterally spaced apart downwardly and forwardly directed ground penetrating tines adapted to engage large rocks embedded in the ground and pull them to the surface, said implement being pivotally mounted on said frame for free. rearwardly and upwardly swinging movement of said tines relative to said frame from a lowered operative position to a raised inoperative position, the pivot axis of said implement being disposed rearwardly of the pivot axis of said crank axle, the lower ends, of

said tines being disposed forwardly of the axis of the wheels carried by said crank axle when said implement is in the lower operative position, latch means carried by said frame adapted to releasably engage said implement and hold same against said rearward upward swinging movement in said lowered operative position, and a second rock engaging tool pivotally mounted on said frame forwardly of said first mentioned implement and swingable downwardly and rearwardly from a raised transport position to a lowered rock engaging position, means for releasably holding said-tool in raised transport position and in lowered rock engaging position, said tool when in said lowered position being adapted to cooperate with said first mentioned implement to grasp and carry a large rock therebetween.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 680,536 8/1901 Milburn 172-497 v 1,855,604 4/1932 Lindeman 172-'699 X 2,021,617 11/1935 Stuesser 172683 X i 2,053,504 9/1936 Van Sickle 1 72--6'99'X' 2,091,427 8/ 1937 Brodersen" '17'2'48 1 X 2,545,111 3/1951 Schaubert l7-241'3 2,552,292 5/1951 Metz 172-683 2,806,303 9/1957 Boyle 372 2,908,409 10/1959 Hinders 37--2' FOREIGN PATENTS 136,182 1952 Sweden.

ABRAHAM G. STONE, Primary Examiner.

BENJAMIN HERSH, Examiner.

W; B. STONE, FRANCIS B. HENRY,

Assistant Examiners. 

1. GROUND WORKING APPARATUS FOR LOCATION LARGE ROCKS EMBEDDED IN THE GROUND AND BRINGING THEM TO THE SURFACE, SAID APPARATUS COMPRISING A FRAME HAVING A FORWARDLY EXTENDING DRAFT TONGUE FOR CONNECTING SAID FRAME TO A TRACTOR, A WHEELED CRANK AXLE PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME FOR ROTATION ABOUT A HORIZONTAL AXIS TRANSVERSE TO THE DIRECTION OF TRAVEL WITH THE WHEELS, THEREOF DISPOSED REARWARDLY OF THE PIVOT AXIS OF SAID AXLE, A HYDRAULICALLY POWERED SUBSTANTIALLY VERTICALLY ORIENTED PISTON-CYLINDER TYPE JACK FOR EACH CRANK ARM OF SAID CRANK AXLE, SAID JACKS BEING CONNECTED TO SAID FRAME AND THE REAR END PORTION OF THEIR RESPECTIVE CRANK ARMS FOR EFFECTING RELATIVE PIVOTAL MOVEMENT BETWEEN SAID FRAME AND CRANK AXLE AND RAISING AND LOWERING OF SAID FRAME, A GROUND WORKING IMPLEMENT INCLUDING A PAIR OF LATERALLY SPACED APART DOWNWARDLY AND FORWARDLY DIRECTED GROUND PENETRATING TIMES ADAPTED TO ENGAGE LARGE ROCKS EMBEDDED IN THE GROUND AND PULL THEM TO THE SURFACE, SAID IMPLEMENT BEING PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME FOR FREE REARWARDLY AND UPWARDLY SWING- 